"We are today announcing here on Facebook Live that we are changing the rules on immigration so as to make the UK even more open, even more welcoming to scientists from around the world," Johnson said.

The British government hopes to launch the fast-track immigration route later this year, which would be framed to attract "elite" researchers and specialists in science, engineering and technology.

"We want Britain to be the most prosperous economy in Europe with an immigration system that attracts the brightest and best global talent," Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said.

The UK is a world leader in science & innovation. It’s only right we make it easier for the world’s top scientists & researchers to come to our country. https://t.co/iw06BA5ujw

The new system, which will be created after discussions with leading institutions and universities, is likely to include abolishing the cap on numbers eligible for the current Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visas and creating a criteria that allows automatic endorsement, subject to immigration checks.

It could also ensure that dependents of successful applicants could access the UK labour market and remove the requirement of having a job offer before arriving.